I Am Thankful – Grapevine Article August 1949 by Anonymous

I am thankful to be free from the undefined fears with which I traveled, but I am more thankful to walk in the shadow of known fears today.

I am thankful to be released from spiteful envy of the talents of others, but I am more thankful to be desirous of even meagerly emulating those virtues.

I am thankful to lose my cankerous jealousy of the gifts of others, but I am more thankful to gain a free and glowing appreciation of those gifts.

I am thankful to shed the prickly cloak of my resentments, but I am more thankful to take on the warm mantle of gratitude.

I am thankful to be concerned about my honesty, but I am more thankful to be honest with myself about my dishonesty.

I am thankful to turn my back upon despair, but I am more thankful to turn my face toward hope.

I am thankful to struggle against selfishness, but I am more thankful to strain toward fellowship.

I am thankful to be emancipated from hate, but I am more thankful to be enslaved by love.

I am thankful to be released from cloying and saccharine self-pity, but I am more thankful to assume the demanding duties of proper self-love.

I am thankful to learn that others may love me, but I am more thankful to learn to love others.

Teach me second to help others, but Teach me first to harm none.

Therefore, this night I pray: God, teach me second to be able to laugh, but Teach me first to remember that I cried.